Stats that Stick: April 25, 2012

Number of public schools at risk of closure in Philadelphia: 64

Philadelphia School District is nearly insolvent, lags behind most other urban districts in academics, and loses students to charters because parents believe it does not keep their children safe. So Chief Recovery Officer Thomas Knudsen announced a plan that would essentially blow up the district and start with a new structure.

Amount of dollars (in millions) available in new Promise Neighborhood Grants: 60

Another $60 million in grants for the Promise Neighborhoods program will be made available by the U.S. Department of Education, both for existing grantees and for a new round of grants, the department announced.

Hours in Schools Day Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is proposing for Chicago Public Schools: 7

Most Chicago public schools have less-than-six-hour school days — some of the shortest in the country. And many have no recess. Mayor Rahm Emanuel is pushing to lengthen the day to at least seven hours. But critics say some crucial details are missing — especially, how much a longer school day would cost.